Murdered bride Anni Dewani's family: No light on Diwali for us

The family of murdered honeymoon bride Anni Dewani were marking the second anniversary of her death today with prayers in London and her Swedish home town.

The anniversary coincides with Hindu festival Diwali, and her relatives were visiting temples to remember her.

Her father Vinod said: “As Hindus we would normally celebrate Diwali on November 13. As it is the Festival of Light, our home and those of Anni’s other family would be lit with many candles and there would be fireworks and huge parties. But for us there is only darkness since Anni was shot dead.

“The pain has not subsided and, like a scratched record, all I am asking for is the truth of what happened to her.

“There will be absolutely no Diwali celebrations in our family and we will only pray for justice for her.”

Mrs Dewani, 28, was killed on November 13, 2010, when the taxi she was travelling in with husband Shrien was hijacked in Gugulethu township, Cape Town. Mr Dewani was let out unharmed but his wife’s body was found later in the abandoned car, with a gunshot wound to her neck.

South African police accuse her husband of plotting her murder to make it look like a carjacking. He denies the allegation and is fighting extradition. He is currently being treated for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in a hospital near Bristol.

In the Swedish town of Mariestad, Mrs Dewani’s uncle Ashok said: “It is time Shrien went back. We’re losing patience with the UK courts. Two years is a long time for a man to make a plane journey. He says he is innocent and we accept that. But he must go and help the police, if not for our sakes, then for Anni.”

Taxi driver Zola Tongo and another man, Mziwamadoda Qwabe have been jailed for murder. A third suspect, Xolile Mngeni, is on trial. Mr Dewani is due before the High Court on December 2 for assessment on whether he can be sent to South Africa.